Closing arguments today in Conn. home invasion trial
(CBS/AP/WFSB) NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Prosecutors and defense attorneys will make closing arguments Tuesday in the trial of of Joshua Komisarjevsky, the second man charged in the 2007 Connecticut home invasion that left a mother and her two daughters dead.
Each side will get 90 minutes Tuesday for the closing arguments in the trial of Komisarjevsky, who faces a possible death sentence if convicted, reports CBS affiliate WFSB.
Another man, Steven Hayes, was convicted last year of raping and strangling Jennifer Hawke-Petit and killing her two daughters, who died of smoke inhalation after they were tied up and the Petit home was set on fire. Hayes is now on death row. Komisarjevsky admitted in a taped confession that he sexually assaulted the youngest daughter, but denied pouring the gas and setting the home on fire.
Komisarjevsky claims Hayes wanted to kill the family and poured the gas and lit the fire. A state lab chemist testified earlier this month that Komisarjevsky did have traces of gasoline on his clothing at the time of his arrest.
The sole survivor of the home invasion, Dr. William Petit, was badly beaten but was able to escape through his basement and run to a neighbor's house for help.
If Komisarjevsky is convicted on any of the charges that carry the death penalty, a separate trial will be held to determine if he should get the death penalty or life in prison.
Complete coverage of the Petit family home invasion on Crimesider